Find Criminal Court Records in Hays County

Hays County criminal court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in San Marcos, Texas. The District Clerk handles felony criminal cases while the County Clerk manages Class A and B misdemeanor records. Hays County has grown fast in recent years as part of the Austin metro area, which means its courts handle a significant volume of cases. You can search Hays County criminal records through the statewide re:SearchTX portal or by visiting the courthouse in San Marcos. This page explains the process and where each type of record is kept.

Hays County District Clerk

The Hays County District Clerk maintains all felony criminal court records for the county. This office files indictments from the grand jury, tracks cases through the district courts, stores judgments and sentences, and handles public records requests. If someone was charged with a felony in Hays County, their case file is at this office. The District Clerk is located at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos.

Hays County has multiple district courts to handle its growing caseload. The county sits between Austin and San Antonio and has seen significant population growth, which is reflected in court volume. The District Clerk's office manages records for all district courts covering Hays County. For expunction petitions under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, this is the office where you file.

How to Search Hays County Criminal Records

The re:SearchTX portal is a free statewide system that includes Hays County district court cases. You can search by party name or cause number and see case type, charges, status, and hearing dates. This is the best starting point for an online search without visiting San Marcos. The system is updated regularly and covers most active and recent cases.

Texas courts use the re:SearchTX portal to provide free public access to district court records. Hays County felony cases are searchable through this tool, along with case activity and current status.

The portal covers Hays County district court cases and is the most efficient way to locate case records from San Marcos without making the trip in person.

For in-person searches, visit the District Clerk's office at 712 S. Stagecoach Trail in San Marcos. Staff can search by name or cause number and pull case files for review. Bring identification. For a statewide name-based criminal history search, the Texas DPS Criminal History portal charges $3 per search. The FAST fingerprint program is available for official background check purposes.

Hays County Misdemeanor Records

Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases in Hays County are handled at the County Court at Law level and stored by the County Clerk. These records cover charges like DWI, theft, simple assault, and drug possession below the felony threshold. The County Clerk's office is located in downtown San Marcos, separate from the District Clerk at the Government Center.

To get misdemeanor court records in Hays County, contact the County Clerk's office at (512) 393-7330. Staff can search by name or cause number. Class C misdemeanors are a different matter. Those cases go through municipal courts or justice of the peace courts and are not stored with the County Clerk. For Class C records, contact the specific court that handled the case.

Note: Hays County has multiple County Courts at Law. The County Clerk's office can direct you to the right court for a specific misdemeanor case.

Hays County Arrest Records

The Hays County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the county. Booking records are created each time someone is taken into custody at the county jail. These records show the person's name, booking date, and charges at the time of arrest. An arrest record is not the same as a conviction. Arrest records and court case records are separate documents kept by different offices.

For statewide inmate information, the TDCJ offender search covers current and recently released Texas state inmates. The Texas sex offender registry lets you search for registered offenders by name or by ZIP code and covers Hays County. For the current Hays County jail roster, contact the sheriff's office directly in San Marcos.

What Hays County Criminal Records Contain

Criminal court files in Hays County follow the same structure as courts across the state. A felony case begins with an indictment. A misdemeanor case begins with an information. The file grows as the case moves forward. Each court date, motion, and order becomes part of the permanent record. The final documents are the judgment and sentence or an order of dismissal.

A typical Hays County criminal court file includes the following:

• Charging document (indictment or information)
• Arrest warrant and supporting affidavit
• Bond documentation and release conditions
• Plea agreement or trial transcript
• Judge's judgment and sentence
• Community supervision or probation terms
• Any motions to dismiss or orders of acquittal

Under Texas Government Code Chapter 552, most court records are public. Juvenile records are sealed. If a person's record was expunged under Chapter 55 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, those records are removed from public access entirely and the relevant agencies must destroy their copies. Expunged records will not appear in any public search result.

Fees and Record Access

Criminal record copies from the Hays County District Clerk cost $1 per page for plain copies and $5 per document for certification, plus the per-page rate. The County Clerk uses similar rates for misdemeanor records. You can get copies in person at either office or request by mail. For mail requests, include payment and describe the record you need as specifically as possible.

Free basic case information is available through re:SearchTX. A statewide criminal history search through the DPS portal costs $3 per name. The Texas Public Information Act gives you the right to formally request records from county offices. More guidance on record requests is available through the DPS Crime Records Service.

Note: Contact the Hays County District Clerk at (512) 393-7660 to confirm current fees before sending a mail records request.

Legal Resources in Hays County

Several organizations can help Hays County residents with criminal court matters. Lone Star Legal Aid serves the Central Texas region including Hays County. They offer free legal help to qualifying low-income individuals and may assist with record-related matters such as expunctions and orders of non-disclosure.

The Texas Bar Find-A-Lawyer tool lets you search for attorneys by location and practice area. For self-help guides on expunction eligibility and other criminal record topics, TexasLawHelp.org is a free resource. The Texas Public Information Act page from the Attorney General's office explains how to request public records from government agencies in Hays County.

Cities in Hays County

San Marcos is the county seat and where all Hays County criminal cases are filed. The courthouse serves the entire county. Other growing communities in Hays County include Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, and Dripping Springs. These cities do not have their own felony court systems. All felony and most misdemeanor cases go through the Hays County courts in San Marcos.

Hays County has grown significantly as part of the Austin-San Marcos metro corridor. Despite this growth, the court system remains centralized in San Marcos. Residents anywhere in the county who need court records must contact the offices there.

Nearby Counties

Hays County sits between Austin and San Antonio in Central Texas. Bordering counties with their own court systems include Travis County, Caldwell County, Guadalupe County, Comal County, and Blanco County. If you are uncertain which county filed a particular case, check the location where the offense occurred.